The Flower Shiro Found Under the Moonlight

The Transition

Holding Hana in my arms like this, makes me think that she's a frail girl. But she's actually not. In fact, she's the exact opposite of frail. But right now, it's Hana's moment. The pain and suffering she endured through the years has now exploded. I can't blame her, hell, I won't blame her. It's not her fault. It's her parent's. It's because of her parents that she almost took her own life, just to end it all.

Hana snuggled closer and looked at me.

"Shiro, you know, I'm really happy to hear that you feel the same for me. The main reason I went here last night was to confess, but when we were in the park, I realized that the timing was off."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. I wasn't thinking clearly."

She smiled.

"Don't worry, it's already over... Besides, it worked out in the end."

"Wooo. Too much cheese!"

"Mom?! But, I thought you'd be in your room!"

Mom's sudden entrance caught us off guard. I released Hana from my arms and we both sat straight... awkwardly. Seeing this, Mom laughed.

"Oh, no need to act embarrassed now."

Hana and I looked at each other and our cheeks burned red with embarrassment.

"Anyway, enough teasing. I'm sorry to eavesdrop but there's something that caught my interest."

Mom looked at Hana. The air around the room grew tense.

"Hana, what you said about your parents. Is that really true?"

Mom's tone turned serious and her eyes are set upon Hana's. Her eyes filled with anger, no, pain.

"Yes. It's true."

Hana said quietly while looking down.

"Since when?"

Mom continued her interrogation.

"Since middle school."

The air around us grew heavier to the point that it's suffocating. Mom stood up and sat between Hana and I.

"Hana."

Mom called out her name. Hana responded by looking into Mom's eyes. Mom's expression softened and in one quick action, she hugged Hana.

"Uhh, Ma'am?"

Hana, surprised by the action, couldn't help but get surprised.

"You've been through so much. It's fine, you can let it all out."

Mom's hug grew tighter. I stood up and went to the kitchen to get water for us. When I got back to the living room, there's a crying session going on. So I just put the glasses on the coffee table and sat at the sofa adjacent to the sofa they're sitting on, and facing the TV.

Being like this every once in a while is not bad at all. It's better to let it all out than keep it all inside. People who keep it inside eventually explode with anger and sometimes they undergo drastic personality changes. Sometimes, they go insane.

A few minutes has passed. Mom wiped her tears, stood up and looked at us.

"I've decided! Hana is going to live with us!"

"Ehh?!"

Surprised by what Mom said, Hana and I let out words of disbelief. I stood up.

"Mom, you can't just decide for Hana!"

Mom and I both looked at Hana. Hana stood up.

"Please take care of me!"

"What!?"